Bair attended Oakwood High School in Paulding County, Ohio, and played collegiately at Bowling Green State University.

[1] Bair was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Bowling Green State University in the second round of the 1971 Major League Baseball Draft and made his Major League debut on September 13, 1976, pitching two scoreless innings out of the bullpen against the New York Mets in a 5–0 loss.

On March 15, 1977, Bair, Tony Armas, Dave Giusti, Rick Langford, Doc Medich, and Mitchell Page were traded to the Oakland Athletics for Chris Batton, Phil Garner, and Tommy Helms.

In 1982 he appeared in 63 games, going 5–3 with a 2.55 ERA in 912⁄3 innings pitched, and recorded eight saves, helping St. Louis reach the playoffs.

Bair started the 1983 season with the Cardinals, appearing in 26 games, going 1–1 with a 3.03 ERA, while earning a save in 292⁄3 innings pitched.

After making 388 relief appearances, Bair made his first major league start on August 23, 1983, pitching six shutout innings in a 2–0 victory over the Texas Rangers.

After playing with the Syracuse Chiefs, the Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate, to begin the 1989 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates purchased Bair's contract on June 16, 1989.

On October 3, 1990, Bair pitched two scoreless innings against the New York Mets in what would be his last major league game.

In 1992, Bair pitched in seven games with the Edmonton Trappers, the California Angels AAA affiliate before retiring.

In 2006, Bair served as pitching coach of the Billings Mustangs, the rookie-level minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

[4] Bair spent 2007 and 2008 as pitching coach for the Dayton Dragons, the Class A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.